Page 68 of Just a Friend for the Lion
“Ahhh,” Uncle Uzzi sighs, like he’s just heard a perfect aria. “Then, my dear, you don’t have a choice. Love means taking risks sometimes, yes? Ask your sisters. They know.”
Both Dina and Carina nod, wiping the dampness from their cheeks like a pair of messy synchronized swimmers.
“Okay,” I say, voice shaking, “so say I give him a chance. And if he fails?”
“Then,” Uzzi says, his voice full of mischief again, “I’ll turn his mane pink for eternity. And every time he looks in the mirror, he’ll be reminded that he’s a fool who lost his fated mate because of his own stupidity.”
Despite myself, I laugh through my tears.
And for the first time since Carter bit me, hope doesn’t feel so impossible.
“One thing, Uncle Uzzi,” Carina adds. “Could you maybe do the pink mane thing, anyway?”
Dina cackles.
I giggle.
Uzzi chuckles darkly.
“Patience, my darlings. Let the magic—and the matchmaking—do its work.”
I drop my face into my hands.
Sweet Baby Jesus.
What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 22
Carter
It’s been a full damn day since I got back from Blue Valley, and still no word from MJ.
Not a text back.
Not a return call.
Not even one of those sassy little eye-roll emojis she’d send when she was pretending she wasn’t into me.
And I hate it.
I hate standing here like some lovesick idiot in front of her pizza palace with a pathetic bouquet of daisies clutched in my fist.
Daisies, for fuck’s sake.
What am I even doing? They’re not sexy. They’re not dramatic.
They’re cheerful. Innocent.
Everything I’m not, but everything she deserves.
Only problem? MJ isn’t here. She might not even be inside.
Figures.
I’ve already called. Emailed. Left voicemails until my outbox looks like a stalker’s shrine.
Even tried her sisters, and believe me, that went over like a lead balloon.
